Wakizashi : Kanekatsu

2015/04/23

Ordering number : 13695

Wakizashi in Shirasaya (NBTHK Tokubetsu Kicho Paper)

Signature : Kanekatsu

Sayagaki by Kanzan sensei: Noshujyu Kanemasa Nijimei Isshaku Ni sun Sanbu Aru nari Kanzanshi
Translation: This sword Noshujyu Kanemasa(two character signature) is 37.42cm long
written by Kanzan.
Early Shinto: Mino province.
The blade was polished.
Habaki: silver single foiled habaki.
Blade length : 37.42 cm or 14.73 inches.
Sori : 3.18 cm or 1.25 inches.
Mekugi : 1
Width at the hamachi : 3.20 cm or 1.25 inches.
Kasane : 1.05 cm or 0.41 inches.
Era : Early Edo period circa Kanei
Shape : It is wide and 1.05cm thick sword.
The thickness reminds us of Yoroi doshi.
It is strong looking sunnobi tanto. On the front side there is a flag
and at the back there is Acalathe God of Fire engraved.
Jitetsu :Itame hada well grained with flow of masame.
There is jinie attached. Dark jigane.
At first glance, it looks like Kyushu or North land sword.
Hamon : NIe ground suguha. Boushi round end.

Special feature : Kanekatsu is the sword smith that has continued from Muromachi period.
The shape is kept in unique Mino style.
This sword has the unique MIno jigane. The kasane is thick and nice shape.
The Acalathe God of Fire that is engraved is slightly worn down which tells
us that it is engraved in detail. The facial expression is sharp and the flame is
is well engraved too. The flag at the front is splendid too.

Historical background: Kanei 14th year battle of Shimahara occur.
It is also called the battle of Amakusa which started at Kanei 14th year October 25th
to Kanei 15th year.
Severe tax collection, famine and the oppression of Christians occurred
at the same time which pulled the trigger of the rebellion of the peasants to the daimyo at the time.
Amakusa Shiro as the center of the peasants, this big incident became one of the major
incident of the time.